In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000924
Date of Hearing : July 22, 2011
Date of Decision : July 22, 2011
Parties:
Applicant
Shri S. Viswanatha Rao
S/o Late Shri L R Seshagiri Rao
Flat No.103, 1st Floor
Sri Balaji Complex
Next to petrol Bunk
Yadav Nagar
Malkajgiri
Hyderabad 500 047
The Applicant was not present during the hearing
Respondents
The Public Information Officer
Southern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager's Office
Commercial Branch
Park Town
Chennai 600 003
Represented by : Shri A Narayanan, PIO & Sr.DPO
Ms.Usha Venugopal, Appellate Authority & ADRM
Shri Lenin, Sr.DCM
NIC Studio, Chennai
Information Commissioner : Mrs. Annapurna Dixit
___________________________________________________________________
In the Central Information Commission
at
New Delhi
File No: CIC/AD/A/2011/000924
ORDER
Background
1. The Applicant filed an RTI application dt.19.11.10 with the CPIO, Southern Railway, Chennai seeking
information regarding upper class waiting halls in Chennai Egmore Railway Station. Shri B.
Nageswara Rao, APIO transferred the RTI application to PIO, Chennai Division vide his letter
dt.1.12.10 which was in turn forwarded to PIO, Commercial on 20.12.10. On not receiving any reply,
the Applicant filed an appeal dt.11.1.11 with the Appellate Authority reiterating his request for the
information. Ms.Rathi R. Raj, PIO/Commercial replied on 18.1.11 stating that Railway Administration
has fixed occupancy charges for the paid AC waiting Hall at Chennai Egmore Railway Station at
Rs.30/ per head for the first one hour and Rs.20/ per head for every subsequent hour thereafter.
According to her, in the Applicant’s case, as per the receipt copy for the said hall, the charges for two
passengers are in order. She requested the Applicant to take note of the fact that in addition to this
paid AC waiting Hall, there is a non AC waiting hall near RPF outpost in PF No.4 in the station, which
is available free of cost to passengers with valid tickets. Based on passenger demand, a new Non
AC Upper Class waiting hall was constructed and dedicated to passengers on 28.1.11. This hall is
also available, free of cost to passengers with valid tickets. She added that charges are thus
collected only for AC waiting hall and not for the other waiting halls. Being aggrieved with the reply,
the Applicant filed a second appeal dt.25.2.11 before CIC.
Decision
2. During the hearing, the Respondent submitted that Appellant’s grievance relates to the charges
levied for use of AC waiting hall at Chennai Egmore Railway Station whereas the facility is provided
free for passengers at other stations. He added that charges are being levied on AC waiting hall at
Egmore Rly. Station as per the decision taken locally.
3. The Commission after hearing the submission by the Respondents directs the PIO to provide a copy
of the decision taken to levy charges for use of AC waiting hall at Egmore , to the Appellant by
22.8.11 and the Appellant to submit a compliance report to the Commission by 29.8.11.
4. The appeal is disposed of with the above directions.
(Annapurna Dixit)
Information Commissioner
Authenticated true copy
(G.Subramanian)
Deputy Registrar
Cc:
1. Shri S. Viswanatha Rao
S/o Late Shri L R Seshagiri Rao
Flat No.103, 1st Floor
Sri Balaji Complex
Next to petrol Bunk
Yadav Nagar
Malkajgiri
Hyderabad 500 047
2. The Public Information Officer
Southern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Commercial Branch
Park Town
Chennai 600 003
3. The Appellate Authority
Southern Railway
Divisional Railway Manager’s Office
Commercial Branch
Park Town
Chennai 600 003
4. Officer in charge, NIC
Note: In case, the Commission’s above directives have not been complied with by the Respondents, the
Appellant/Complainant may file a formal complaint with the Commission under Section 18(1) of the RTIAct, giving
(1) copy of RTIapplication, (2) copy of the Commission’s decision, and (3) any other documents which he/she
considers to be necessary for deciding the complaint. In the prayer, the Appellant/Complainant may indicate, what
information has not been provided.